Blanco’s debut better than Beckham’s

Monday

Jul 23, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 23, 2007 at 11:00 PM

CHICAGO -- Cuauhtemoc Blanco made his American soccer debut Sunday with the Chicago Fire.

By Nick Firchau

No Arnold Schwarzenegger. No Katie Holmes. No Eva Longoria. What's a soccer player have to do to get some attention in this country?
Cuauhtemoc Blanco made his American soccer debut Sunday to a fraction of the gala that accompanied David Beckham's first touch with the Los Angeles Galaxy, but that didn't mean the Fire star's introduction couldn't have fit into a Hollywood script.
Blanco scored the Fire's lone goal and sparkled for much of his 58 minutes on the field, leading the Fire to a 1-1 international friendly draw against Scottish power Celtic FC at Toyota Park in Bridgeview in the much-awaited debut of the new $2.7 million face of the franchise.
"I've always said that I'm just one person," Blanco said, shunning the notion he'll be an instant savior for the team. "I'm not God. I'm not Superman. I'm just another player on the team."
Although the win bears no impression on the Fire's sagging record in the Major League Soccer standings, it was tough for players to avoid the sudden injection of energy from Blanco's arrival.
"I think it was obvious that he brings something we've been lacking here for a while," defender Diego Gutierrez said. "He's deceptive and unpredictable, and he definitely has some qualities we haven't had before."
Defender C.J. Brown called Blanco's play "refreshing," while rookie midfielder Bakary Soumare said: "He's fabulous."
Blanco's productivity resonated even louder after the brief and uneventful Saturday evening debut of Beckham, who played sparingly in front of a sellout Galaxy crowd that included everyone from movie stars to professional athletes to prominent California politicians.
Blanco started at attacking midfielder and was productive while lingering up top with Fire forwards Chad Barrett and Calen Carr. He managed three shots on goal, while the rest of the team had just two.
Blanco added several touches of the flair that has made him an adored figure in Mexico, but he never abandoned a deliberate and patient first touch. Bad knees and 15 years in the Mexican First Division have certainly cost him his speed and quickness, but his play Sunday made it obvious he can contribute without either.
"It was through him that we created the better chances, and to put the icing on the cake, he scored a beautiful goal," Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio said.
Blanco’s goal in the 30th minute epitomized his level of comfort and patience with the ball. He broke into open space 35 yards out, then quickly worked his way past a pair of Celtic defenders until he was left with a charging Celtic goalkeeper Artur Borus.
Blanco coolly skirted the threat with a touch to his left, and then buried a shot into the open net to the delight of the 15,719 fans in attendance.
While Blanco typically celebrates goals with a pose emulating a Mexico City statue of ancient Aztec ruler Cuauhtemoc, he abandoned the move this time.
He instead led an embrace with his new teammates while the crowd roared in adoration.
"I always try to score, and I had an opportunity," Blanco said. "The truth is, I'm very happy I got to score."
The Celtic's Derek Riordan scored the equalizer in the 79th minute after Blanco and a number of the Fire starters left the match.
More Fire coverage is at www.dailysouthtown.com/sports.